Since Russia invaded its neighbour in February, Francis has spoken out against the war at nearly every public event, at least twice a week, denouncing what he has called atrocities and unprovoked aggression.
He did not specifically mention Ukraine on Saturday night.
“As always, the principal victims of this human greed are the weak and the vulnerable,” he said, denouncing “a world ravenous for money, power and pleasure …”
“I think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice,” also mentioning “unborn, poor and forgotten children”.
Drawing a parallel between the infant Jesus born in a manger and the poverty of today, the Pope said: “In the manger of rejection and discomfort, God makes himself present. He comes there because there we see the problem of our humanity: the indifference produced by the greedy rush to possess and consume.”
Earlier this month, the Pope urged people to spend less on Christmas celebrations and gifts and send the difference to Ukrainians to help them get through the winter.
The Pope marked his 86th birthday last week and, apart from the knee ailment, appears to be in overall good health.
On Sunday, he is due to deliver his twice-yearly “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to tens of thousands of people in the square below.
For all the latest world News Click Here
